McCoy walked in by himself long after practice. Asked how he was doing, McCoy replied “not so good.” McCoy entered the trainer’s room before it could be ascertained if it was concussion symptoms or a dose of the flu causing the discomfort.

At any rate rookie Nick Foles, off his best game of the season, a last-second 23-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was happy to see both standouts return to work.

“It’s great having them out there,” Foles, who makes his fifth straight start Thursday against the Bengals said. “We love both of those guys so just having them out there on the field, just as a presence to be out there with us young guys is great for the team. It’s a great vibe for the team so it’s just great to have them out there.”

Rookie Bryce Brown has rushed for 100 or more yards in two of his three starts and has four touchdowns in that time.

Burkholder said Vick’s concussion impact test was back to normal, enabling the veteran quarterback to “ease back in.

“He’s really in Stage 5 of this rehab process,” Burkholder said. “And if everything goes well today, if I can get him in to see the independent neurologist tomorrow he’ll go see him.”

McCoy’s concussion symptoms are gone, per Burkholder. But he had an upper respiratory cold over the weekend, and was slated to practice on a limited basis “just to move around and get his legs back underneath him.

“If he’s OK we’ll send him to the independent neurologist tomorrow if I can get him in,” Burkholder said. “Yesterday Mike wasn’t here because he had a little bit of what LeSean had over the weekend.

“We’re not listing them as out. They’re still very much alive for things and we’ll see how they do today and take it day by day. Of course they have to get through this fifth phase. They have to get through the independent, which could be tomorrow and they have to see Dr. Dorshimer and get his clearance, as well.”

Tough as it is to imagine that Vick has thrown his last pass for the Eagles, it’s not the least bit difficult for Foles to function with Vick watching his every move.

“No, there’s no awkwardness,” Foles said. “As I’ve said before, Mike and mine’s relationship has stayed the same. I’ll always support Mike and I know he’ll always support me no matter what. Our relationship will stay the same.”

Vick, to his credit, has been much the same positive influence on Foles as veteran backup quarterback Trent Edwards, who deserves a high-five for basically serving as the rookie passer’s personal quarterbacks coach.

Vick’s positive attitude has impressed several people on the Eagles’ payroll.

Celek sustained a concussion on the first play of the win over the Buccaneers. He told Burkholder he lost consciousness for a few moments, and although he appeared OK to the trainer, NFL and team protocol dictated he had to exit.

Celek had X-rays on his neck, which revealed no damage and had balance issues that abated and was back to normal after the game, according to Burkholder. Celek had no symptoms Monday, got an MRI on his neck and is in Stage 1 of the concussion protocol, according to the Eagles.

Interestingly, Celek already passed his impact test. He could be in Stage 2 tomorrow per Burkholder, who also intimated Celek might be able to play against the Bengals using the NFL concussion criteria.

“We feel like they have to get through those five phases of rehab,” Burkholder said. “And it’s impossible to do five phases in four days. So he’ll miss Thursday’s game.”

Patterson was discharged from the hospital but has been weakened by pneumonia. He’ll miss his second straight game.

NOTES: Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin revealed he hurt his groin getting jumped by Nnamdi Asomugha after catching the last-second touchdown pass that beat the Bucs (insert your Nnamdi tackling joke here). Maclin was limited at practice … Reid said safety Kurt Coleman, who has a bruised sternum, would be a stretch to get on the field against the Bengals. Coleman said the issue is “coming along.” … Guard Evan Mathis (ankle) didn’t practice but expects to play Thursday … Asomugha (neck stinger, quad contusion) practiced fully … Referee Carl Cheffers and his crew officiate the Thursday game. The Eagles have won their last two games with Cheffers. Ron Winter, the referee in the Birds’ win over the Bucs, has presided over half of Reid’s triumphs this season.

The other two Eagles victories came with replacement referees … Owlscoop.com confirmed that University of Miami defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio was at Temple today to interview for the football head coaching job. Eagles interim defensive coordinator Todd Bowles also is to be interviewed for the vacancy.